For Better Or For Worse

To See

"Rog, when will you learn to reign in your anger and think before attacking?!" Glorfindel yelled for the first time a century after Gondolin was built. Rog froze as Glorfindel berated him in front of the warriors of many Houses and all the lords. No one had ever seen him loose his temper like this. He yelled until He ran out of energy.
"Your anger will get you killed, Rog." He strode away, no one following him as he had no one to follow him. That is when Rog realized that Glorfindel was truly alone. He started to weep for the lord who was lonely.
"Rog, what is wrong?" Ecthelion questioned his friend.
"Does Glorfindel have anyone to turn to, to welcome him after a long day, to talk to or tease?" Rog questioned back.
"I do not know."
"Do we know anything about him other than he was high in the House of Air and trained many? For all we know, he could be the Lord of the House of Air! He runs his house more efficiently than any other and has trained every single one of his men. He always carries himself with grace and the only time he ever showed anything other than contentment or concern has been now!" Rog yelled at Ecthelion.
"I will have him wed before the end of the year to someone of your House, Ecthelion. Choose wisely the person." Turgon hissed before departing to inform Glorfindel of his fate.
"Find Erestor and bring him to my office." Ecthelion ordered before leaving.
Turgon found Glorfindel playing with the elflings of his House.
"Glorfindel, a moment please." Turgon ordered. Glorfindel followed his king to a private alcove.
"You will be wed by winter to a person from the House of the Fountain. I do not care if you agree or not. I will prepare everything with the help of your advisors while you will get to know the elf Ecthelion chose for you. We have many questions to ask of you as well. Meet with me tomorrow after the noontime meal." Turgon left as Glorfindel stood in shock.
"What?" Glorfindel muttered weakly before falling to his knees. "No. I can't. My oath. Manwë, forgive me but I cannot go against him." Glorfindel started to sob in anguish. A breeze gently caressed his cheek and a feeling filled him. He knew that the Vala forgave him and would allow this. He fell asleep in the Hidden alcove, indistinguishable from the walls. He slept for a week, no one from the other houses finding him. Those of his House kept guard of him and allowed none to disturb their lord.
When he had awoken, it was to Rog worriedly shaking him and calling his name.
"Thank Erü! We thought you were ill. You worried us." Rog exclaimed. Glorfindel simply rose an eyebrow before standing and heading to his office, Rog following. The other lords were frantically yelling at each other about where he might be.
"SILENCE! What right do you have to worry when you are not my friends? I merely slept for the first time in quite a while, the shock of the King's decision was too much. If you wish to worry than answer this one question to have a chance. What was my position in the House of the Air?" Glorfindel was not pleased, his eyes the only sign of his anger. He walked to the window and gazed at his House, watching the elves doing their daily routines. He sighed, wishing he were amongst his people instead of the crowded office. A young voice rang out, breaking his train of thought.
"You are the Lord of the House of Air. The oldest and kindest of all Lords. You allowed us to live on your lands, train with your people, and showered many gifts and blessings upon us."
The elves in the room shook their heads, not believing that the highest ranking elf of the Vanyar would join them. Many wondered why he would give up his position to become another unknown face in a host of people in exile.
Glorfindel turned from the window, a slight smile on his face. He knew what they were thinking. He didn't have the answers, though. If they asked, he knew not how he would respond.
"You have always been observant, Erestor. You are correct."
Rog fainted. The others were in shock and Turgon looked like an exasperated parent.
"Calm down! What else do we not know about you or your culture that we should know?" Turgon asked.
"To marry a Vanyar elf is an eternal bond from the moment the vows are said. The bond is said to be stronger than any other bond in all of existence. Marriages are rarely ever consummated as many Vanyarians only partake in reproduction when absolutely necessary or to strengthen the bond. Elflings are extremely rare due to this lack of drive. I took a Warrior oath, my death will be a terrible and painful one if my friend is to be believed. Fire and fall. My favorite color is sky blue. I love yellow roses and cookies." Glorfindel smiled brightly at the end. Ecthelion laughed in disbelief.
"Only you would manage to end a talk like that on a bright note," Ecthelion muttered.
"What does the death vision have to do with anything?" Rog looked confused but intrigued.
"Because the person I will bond with will feel the pain of my death if I am unable to block it. The vows weave our souls closer than anything I can describe. They will be able to feel my soul even from Mandos' Halls and neither party may ever bond to another. It is what the Valar gifted to us before we sailed to the west." Glorfindel patiently explained, having done this for many of the elflings in his House.
"Why didn't you say any of this before?" Rog demanded, angered that this had been kept secret for so long.
"You never asked about anything other then my name and if I was any good at fighting or wanted to go drink." Glorfindel shot back. Rog backed down at that veiled jab.
"Consider what I told you before sealing the fate of the elf you choose. It cannot be undone and it cannot be broken," Glorfindel cautioned before leaving the room, a group of elflings ambushing him at the door.
"FIN!! I DREW PICTURE FOR YOU!"
"CAN WE PLAY IN THE GARDENS WIF THE WOOD SWORDS?!"
"CAN YOU TELL US ANOTHER STORY?!"
These were only some of the questions that the Lords of Gondolin heard. Glorfindel's deep laughter as he lead the elflings to the gardens showed his happiness. The guards at the door were smiling as they bowed to their Head, many of them calling him their Grandfather to honor him. He was seen as their Patriarch and had some how made those in his House feel as if they were all family.
This is what surprised many from the other houses. Their houses were chaotic, social status evident in all aspects, open kindness rare, and absolute trust and love for the Lords not as abundant. The loyalty and Love rained down upon Glorfindel by his people that they could see in no other house no matter how hard they looked.
"Wish I had that much love from the people in my house." Rog muttered, getting hit by his wife.
"You should know better than that! The older ones of his House are to formal around him, always bowing and using formal titles. They respect and love him but they show the respect by always being so stiff and treating him like a king or a Valar rather than the elf that he is! They show their love and trust in him by never doubting his words! In their eyes, he can do no wrong! The burden alone is all consuming! Even though the younger generations are open and affectionate with him, they never get too close as Glorfindel does out rank them! He is lonely in the midst of all the love!" His wife admonished him.
"Look, the leaves are starting to fall. Winter is near and we have a wedding to plan. Come Erestor, time to get to know your fiancé." Ecthelion dragged his cousin out of the office, expertly ignoring the shouting between the husband and wife.